Hand Karnataka CM post to DK Shivakumar: Vokkaliga seer to Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Amid growing speculation over a change at the helm of the govt of Karnataka, a prominent Vokkaliga seer publicly urged CM Siddaramaiah to relinquish his position in favour of his deputy DK Shivakumar.
At an event to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kempegowda, called founder of Bengaluru, Chandrashekhara Swami, seer of Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Mutt, made the appeal in the presence of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar that caught all by surprise.
Better for CM to quit, go home: BJP
Kempegowda is regarded as a demigod of the Vokkaliga community to which Shivakumar belongs. Chandrashekhara Swami, seer of Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Mutt, said, "The request is: Siddaramaiah, who has experienced [the post], should give up for our Shivakumar in the future, and bless him."
The seer voiced concerns over proposed division of BBMP, cautioning against hindering the city's comprehensive development.
It added fuel to ongoing discussions within political circles and comes at a time, when several cabinet ministers have called for additional deputy CMs, representing various communities.
Siddaramaiah later said, "Congress is a high-command party... This is a democracy. We will follow whatever the high command says." Shivakumar added, "Things have been said [about CM] ... Both of us are travelling to New Delhi to meet MPs from the state and discuss infra projects."
Co-operation minister KN Rajanna, a close aide to Siddaramiah, said: "Who will give up (the position)? I don't know with what intention the seer has said things. In a democracy, he has the right to speak."
Agriculture minister Cheluvarayaswamy added: "The party will ultimately decide. Shivakumar is the party president and someone who has commitment towards the party more than anyone else."
BJP's R Ashoka said "this development" shows divide within the govt and also proves BJP's claims that this govt will not survive for long." At a govt programme, such a humiliation had never happened to a sitting CM. It is better for Siddaramaiah to resign and go home," he said.